Five Ways to Stop Mold from Forming Inside Your Utah Home

Prevent Mold Formation In Your Utah Home With These Five Steps

All indoor environments can have mold spores, which usually pose no harm to most people. However, there are over 300,000 species, some of which may cause different kinds of reactions. Individuals with an allergic reaction, chronic respiratory illness, or a compromised immune system are at higher risk.

Our low humidity year-round in Utah means most homeowners don’t consider mold as a problem, but even if you’re looking to buy property in an area with a dry climate like Orem, mold can form indoors in the right conditions. Home inspections should be able to catch these issues before you in. But if you’d like to take preventive measures in your current home, here are five precautions to check out.

Look for moisture sources

Several mold infestations have been reported in Utah in recent years, some of them posing a severe health risk to occupants – and this is made possible by the presence of moisture in homes. You’re probably aware of several wet or moist areas in your home – the shower and kitchen, for example. But often mold forms in unattended places. Check for leaks or places of seepage in your home, and you can take steps to remedy the issue before mold can form.

Keep areas dry

If you find issues with your plumbing or fixtures, then waste no time making the necessary DIY repairs. But at the same time, don’t neglect to clean up immediately after spills and wipe surfaces dry in the kitchen. Improper sealing around windows and door frames can also be quickly fixed with a quality caulking mixture from the hardware store.

Ensure sufficient ventilation

For places that are constantly moist or wet, such as the bathroom or the wash area, make sure that you have exhaust fans in place to circulate the air properly and remove excess moisture from the environment. If you wish, you can apply products such as antifungal paint to these surfaces to inhibit mold formation.

Control outdoor water

While humidity is often the culprit behind mold formation in warmer climates, here in Utah, you might find precipitation to be more of a problem. Snow melts can trickle inside your home if you have damaged gutters, for instance. Heavy rains could lead to seepage if the drainage outside your house was poorly done. Keep an eye out for these issues; they can lead to other sorts of damage besides mold formation.

Clean effectively

It’s always a good idea to clean frequently throughout your home, but you should also be thorough to prevent mold formation.  If you have a carpet that’s difficult to move and clean, you might end up skipping the underside, and over time, this can risk mold formation if water spills and seeps through. Smaller rugs may be easier to manage and clean.

Indoor plants, while beneficial to your well-being and bringing a touch of green to your indoor environment, can also harbor mold. Certain substances, such as Taheebo tea or oil can help inhibit fungal growth. Pay attention to the soil condition and repot if necessary.

Mold is often harmless and invisible until it’s not. Left unchecked, it can grow to harmful concentrations, fill your home with unpleasant odors and become an irritant or a serious health risk to each inhabitant. Take these simple precautions to keep your home safe, clean, and dry throughout the year.